Alaska Supreme Court denies Miller's Senate challenge

The Alaska Supreme Court ruled Wednesday against Joe Miller, leaving his challenge of the U.S. Senate race on life support. The court ruled the state followed the law in counting misspelled ballots for Sen. Lisa Murkowski. His only remaining chance is in federal court.

The Alaska Supreme Court today ruled against Joe Miller on all counts, a decision that leaves his challenge of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s victory on life support.

“There are no remaining issues raised by Miller that prevent this election from being certified,” the Supreme Court declared in its unanimous ruling.

Murkowski leads Miller by more than 10,000 votes.

Miller’s last chance is in federal court. U.S. District Court Judge Ralph Beistline is giving Miller 48 hours to argue that the federal courts should take up any remaining constitutional issues.

Beistline has blocked the state from certifying Murkowski as the winner of the Senate race to allow the court issues to be settled. Beistline said he will decide “as soon as possible” on lifting his block following the Alaska Supreme Court ruling.

Miller has indicated he might fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, but his spokesman said today that Miller’s next move hasn’t been decided.